The Cavaliers have tied the Eastern Conference semifinals series 2-2 against the Pistons and are looking to win their first road game of the 2026 playoffs in Game 5. The game is scheduled for May 13 at 8 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.
Key points
Cavaliers tied the series 2-2 against the Pistons
Game 5 scheduled for May 13 at 8 p.m.
Cavaliers are 0-5 on the road this postseason
Winner faces the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals
Now a season-defining questions looms: Can the Cavs win their first road game of the 2026 playoffs to seize a series lead?
An opportunity awaits in Game 5 on Wednesday, May 13, at Little Caesars Arena. So far, the Cavs are 6-0 at home and 0-5 on the road this postseason. Game 6 will be in Cleveland, but Game 7, if it's necessary, would return to Detroit. The winner of the series will advance to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Game 5 between the fourth-seeded Cavs and top-seeded Pistons is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. Live score updates, highlights, analysis and stats will be here throughout the night:
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game Four against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Q&A
What is the current series score between the Cavaliers and Pistons?
The series is currently tied 2-2.
When and where is Game 5 of the Cavaliers vs Pistons playoff series?
Game 5 is scheduled for May 13 at 8 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.
How have the Cavaliers performed on the road in the 2026 playoffs?
The Cavaliers are 0-5 on the road this postseason.
Who will the winner of the Cavaliers vs Pistons series face in the Eastern Conference Finals?
The winner will advance to face the New York Knicks.
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May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; T-shirts line the seats prior to game four between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) warms up before game four between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) warms up before game four between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game Four against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game Four against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
2 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; T-shirts line the seats prior to game four between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
3 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) warms up before game four between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
4 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) warms up before game four between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Below is some pregame information.
Where to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game 5. Cavs playoffs TV channel and streaming info
Game 5 between the Cavs and Pistons will be televised nationally by ESPN.
Cavs radio station info
The local radio broadcast of Game 5 can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM). Game 5 will also be broadcast nationally by ESPN Radio.
Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley defends Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 11, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley defends Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 11, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cavs vs Pistons Game 5 injury report
The Cavs did not list any players on their injury report for Game 5.
Cavs vs Pistons Game 5 starting lineup
For Game 5, the Cavs are expected to stick with the same starting lineup they used in the first four games against the Pistons.
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell celebrates making a 3-pointer against the Detroit Pistons during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 11, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell celebrates making a 3-pointer against the Detroit Pistons during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 11, 2026, in Cleveland.
Pistons vs Cavs Game 5 injury report
The Pistons listed starting guard Duncan Robinson (low back soreness), backup guard Caris LeVert (right heel contusion) and backup wing Kevin Huerter (left abductor strain) as questionable to play in Game 5.
Robinson and LeVert played in Game 4. Huerter was inactive for the first four games of the series against the Cavs and for each of the final three games of Detroit's 4-3 first-round series win over the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic.
Pistons vs Cavs Game 5 startling lineup
The Pistons are expected to use the same starting lineup for Game 5 as the one they deployed during the first four games of the series.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren reacts after a second-half play against the Cavaliers during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 11, 2026, in Cleveland.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren reacts after a second-half play against the Cavaliers during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 11, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cavs next game: Cavaliers-Pistons playoff series schedule
Here is all of the scheduling information the NBA has announced thus far about the Cavs-Pistons series in the Eastern Conference semifinals:
Game 5: Cavs at Pistons, 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, ESPN
Game 6: Pistons at Cavs, 7 p.m. Friday, May 15, Prime Video
Game 7: Cavs at Pistons, time TBD Sunday, May 17, TBD network, if necessary
Eastern Conference playoff bracket 2026
Here are the second-round matchups:
No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers; series is tied 2-2
No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers; Knicks won series 4-0
Here are the first-round results:
No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic; Pistons won series 4-3
No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers; 76ers won series 4-3
No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 6 seed Atlanta Hawks; Knicks won series 4-2
No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 seed Toronto Raptors; Cavs won series 4-3
Cleveland Cavaliers playoff history during their Donovan Mitchell era
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavs have made the playoffs.
Here are the results from their previous three playoff appearances, all of which have occurred since the Cavs traded for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in 2022:
2024-25: Lost 4-1 in second round to Indiana Pacers after sweeping Miami Heat 4-0 in first round
2023-24: Lost 4-1 in second round to Boston Celtics after beating Orlando Magic 4-3 in first round
2022-23: Lost 4-1 in first round to New York Knicks
